Wilsall, MT branch?

[HemiAdda2d]

I came upon this line, still in place, save for a couple pile bridges, on a hunting trip to WY. 90# rails, no tie plates, heck, even a switchstand!
I assume it's former NP, since it leads north out of Livingston, MT.
I also guess it hadn't seen a wheel in at least 20-30 years!
I have pics, to follow soon.

What info does anyone have on this this little 25 mile line?

[MRLdave]

This is just a guess, but north of Livingston is Ringling, which was home to the Ringling Brothers Circus at one time. There's not much else in that area.

[HemiAdda2d]

Dave, Ringling is about 70 miles from I-90 up US 89. Wilsall is just about 25 miles from Livingston.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=wilsall,+MT&ie=UTF8&z=9&om=1

[BoxcabE50]

It's the old NP Shields River Branch. AFAIK- Not abandoned. Classified as 'out of service'. And owned by MRL. Last train was?

Boxcab E50

[HemiAdda2d]

That seems to make sense--the Shields River follows the ROW.
Last train must have been a couple decades ago.
A local rancher near Wilsall has a PS-2 type 3-bay hopper propped up on a concrete pad on his property. Seems to me it would have been delivered via rail, and hoisted off the tracks.

[BoxcabE50]

That would make sense. I suppose an inquiry of him, next trip, might provide the answer. Ha ha...

I believe that branch was last operated during early BN days. Would need to dig out old ETT, and see if even listed.

Boxcab E50

[HemiAdda2d]

Here's a quick shot of a switchstand:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1017/Wilsall_6.jpg

[BoxcabE50]

Looks like a popular place to practice with firearms... Been dinged a few times!

Boxcab E50

[HemiAdda2d]

Here's the weedy rails:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1017/Wilsall_4.jpg

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1017/Wilsall_5.jpg

[BoxcabE50]

Well, perhaps some day there'll be a reason to reactivate this track. Maybe...

Boxcab E50

[HemiAdda2d]

Not much for traffic--the agriculture in this are is sparce, but prolly within the haulage of trucks. I doubt that it would increase high enough to warrant rail transport.

[CP&E 3207]

probably long sicne forgotten by MRL. With the rails in the condition they are, they would likely spread at the first wheel of an empty hopper. I bet those rails would be great for some of those speeder car collectors.

[HemiAdda2d]

They are only about 90# weight. Here's some side views:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1017/Wilsall_3.jpg

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1017/Wilsall_2.jpg

Look, Ma, no tie plates!

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1017/Wilsall_1.jpg

[BoxcabE50]

Of course they'd need to rebuild it all. But, ninety pounds, although too light by current standards, is still heavier than some other branch operations gimping along today.

Boxcab E50

[chooch.42]

Hopefully, nobody wearing brightly colored spandex and a goofy helmet will want to pave it as a bike trail like they do here. Bob C.

[HemiAdda2d]

Possible, but not likely. There's not much for population out there. Mostly ranchers and other hardy folks.

[HemiAdda2d]

Here's the crossing of the mighty Yellowstone:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1017/Wilsall_branch_bridge.jpg

And the depot at Wilsall:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1017/Wilsall_depot.jpg

[BoxcabE50]

There's no mistaking that old NP depot "sand" color. I sure miss it!

Boxcab E50

[Kurt Moose]

Looks like the perfect line for a model railroad!:rolleyes:

[BoxcabE50]

Looks like the perfect line for a model railroad!:rolleyes:

Keep us posted on your progress! Ha ha ha ha...! :D :D :D

Boxcab E50

[Kurt Moose]

Only if I jump ship and start modeling NP in Z!

[BoxcabE50]

Living in Covington... Hope you've seen the NP Z that Robert Ray has been doing. If my eyes, and hands worked better...

:D

Boxcab E50

[Kurt Moose]

He is truelly one of the great masters in Z! When I first saw his Z-scale Issaquah station, I fell out of the chair!!

[BoxcabE50]

Same here. That's my home turf. Went to school there. Lived only a few minutes east. Saw that depot so many times. Remember well when the Petty family used it for their construction materials. Their sons were classmates. Memories!

Boxcab E50